Islam Times - Jordan’s King Abdullah II dissolves parliament

Islam Times - Jordan's King Abdullah II has dissolved the country’s parliament and called for early elections, amid continuation of popular protests in the country.

“The king has decided to dissolve the chamber of deputies from this Thursday and to call early elections,” an official statement said.

The statement specified no date for the polls but the king reportedly plans to hold the elections before the end of 2012.

The announcement comes on the eve of a major opposition rally organized by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood in the capital city, Amman, by an estimated 50,000 supporters.

In early July, the Muslim Brotherhood boycotted the planned parliamentary elections because of “lack of reform.”

Jordanians have been holding demonstrations since January 2011, demanding political reforms, including the election of prime minister by popular vote and an end to corruption.

Since the demonstrations began, the king has sacked two prime ministers to appease the protesters.

The king has also amended 42 articles of the 60-year-old constitution, ostensibly granting the parliament a more assertive role in the decision-making process.